A
female
age
41-50,
anonymous
writes:Hi,Hoping for some advice as I'm completely embarrassed and annoyed by a situation!My friend recently turned 30 and for her birthday I had a novelty cake made for her as a surprise.A colleague of mine suggested a lady she knows, who has made her several cakes. She showed me her pictures and the cakes looked nice but they were quite basic. I was after something more intricate. My friend then showed me her Facebook page and there were lots more designs which she had created and they looked really nice.I contacted this woman- sent her a few pictures, even went round her house to discuss in person. She seemed really nice , told me that she went to college and qualified 3 years ago,then went to work at a cake shop for 18 months before deciding to go in to business for herself and makes them from home.I told her I wanted a makeup bag (my friend is a make up artist and loves make up) with all different items of makeup in it- lipstick, mascara, foundation etc... . I also specified it needed to feed approximately approx 40-45 people and I wanted a jam and buttercream filling (my friends favourite ) I also specified that the cake needed to be at the venue for 6.30- before guests arrived at 7pm. She said she could do it no problem- I had given plenty of notice.I gave her all the details - address of venue etc.. And when I got home sent her an email confirming everything.2 days later she sent me a quote of £155- I agreed. She said I could pay her on the evening itself.On the evening of the party i got there for 6.30 but the cake hadn't arrived. The restaurant staff were expecting her as I had advised them in advance and they set up a table especially for it, which was empty and looked odd as nothing was on it. Guests started arriving and then the food came out etc.... The cake didn't arrive until 8.10pm-she said she lost track of time... I did text her and call her several times but had no reply- she claimed she didn't get any calls!Also i was not impressed with the cake- it looked nothing like a make up bag - just a square cake with a bit cut out the top to look like a bag and some decoration. she had attempted to make makeup out of icing but they just looked like different coloured blobs- you couldn't tell makeup what item they should be!It also was quite small, definitely couldn't feed 20 people let alone 45 people!!!She also didn't put the correct message on, spelt my friends name wrong so it read "Happy Birthday Sara" and should have said "Happy 30th Birthday Sarah".When we cut in to it it was just buttercream- no jam! I was embarrassed!! The guests didn't look particularly impressed either....Before she left I took her aside an told her of the mistakes- she seemed completely oblivious! Fortunately I had the email to back up so she agreed to only charge me £125-I still felt this was too expensive so I told her so. She then was a bit rude saying it took her ages to do and she thought it was good!! In the end I paid her £80 (even though it wasn't worth it) she had started to make a bit of a scene so in order for her to leave I had to pay.I'm not annoyed at the money I'm annoyed that she didn't apologise for the rubbish job. I'm also pretty sure her photos on Facebook aren't cakes she made herself. Who can I complain to? She is self employed. I'm really tempted to leave a bad review on her Facebook page also- what do you think?
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Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (31 January 2016): Should have baked it yourself for £20.00 and I bet you would have done a better job.
Just the lateness alone is a cheek.
A
female
reader, Ivyblue  +, writes (31 January 2016):
 Hope you took a picture. I'd review and upload the picture, the amount charged and details, including her attitude.
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A
female
reader, Honeypie  +, writes (31 January 2016):
 You can't really complain to anyone, but her.
IF every detail, from size, to flavor, to filling, design, wording, delivery time, place and date as written down - then FEEL free to leave her a bad review and be specific. ADD a picture (I would) and all the things that were NOT up to snuff.
I think because it's a "cheap" product, you can't for instance, take her to court and get your money back - you'd probably spend more in court-fees. Same with lodging a complaint with Trading Standards, since she is doing this out of her kitchen, she probably doesn't pay taxes or make proper invoices.
Learn from this, is all you can do. USE a reputable baker/pastry place in the future.
And the friend who recommended her, I'd let her know too, without blaming her of course.
No need for you to feel ashamed. You trusted that the lady would keep her word.
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (30 January 2016): Well I'd either let it go, or get some money off the dailymail who would publish your article as long as you had photos of the cake.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (30 January 2016): Maybe I'm a bit harsh but after working in a coffee shop for years, it no longer bothers me to leave a bad review or complain. Surely if you were one of her future potential customers, you would appreciate an honest review that saved your time and your money. I think your best bet is to leave the review on Facebook and say pretty much everything you wrote on here... It sounds as though it really spoilt your night, especially as the cake didn't arrive on time - you would have been well within your right to refuse to pay anyway. . I think she probably deserves an 'honest' review
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